Method to set setting information in device and device to set setting information

ABSTRACT

A device obtains network setting information by using a function for obtaining the network setting information used for network communication through a network. The device receives from an apparatus for transmitting setting information to be set in a device to the device, setting information containing information to stop using the function to set the received setting information in the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method to set setting information ina device, and a device to set setting information.

2. Description of the Related Art

Typically, when a device is added to a network and installed, a usermust set setting information used for network communication such as IPaddresses. To eliminate such a cumbersome operation, there has beenproposed a technology for automatically obtaining an IP address or thelike by using a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) or the like,and setting the IP address in a device (e.g., JP A 2003-333055).

In the case of the technology that uses the DHCP or the like, however,there is a possibility that a different IP address will be assigned tothe device each time the device obtains the IP address. Use of thistechnology has been unsuitable for a device where server system servicesare operated because, if the IP address is changed each time, a clientcannot access the server unless he knows an IP address assigned after achange. On the other hand, if the device does not use the DHCP or thelike at all, the device cannot obtain a proper IP address, and may notbe able to perform network communication thereafter.

Moreover, when the device is installed, a variety of setting informationmust be set in addition to the IP address. Accordingly, a settinginformation transmitter may be used to periodically transmit settinginformation to the device. However, when the IP address is occasionallychanged, there is a risk that the setting information transmitter willnot be able to properly transmit the setting information to the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to efficiently set setting informationto be set in a new device when the device is connected to a network.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a system including anapparatus in communication with a device via a network is provided. Thesystem further includes the apparatus including a setting informationtransmission unit configured to transmit setting information to thedevice to be set in the device; and the device including, a networksetting information obtaining unit configured to obtain network settinginformation by using a function for obtaining the network settinginformation used for network communication through the network; asetting information reception unit configured to receive from theapparatus the setting information containing information to stop usingthe function; and a setting information setting unit configured to setthe setting information received by the setting information receptionunit in the device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the apparatus furtherincludes a storage unit configured to store an address list indicating adestination address of the setting information; a request reception unitconfigured to receive a request of the setting information from thedevice; and an addition unit configured to add the device which requeststhe setting information to the address list, wherein the settinginformation transmission unit transmits the setting information to thedestination address indicated by the address list. Additionally, inanother aspect of the present embodiment, the function may be a DHCPfunction which performs address allocation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatusperiodically transmits setting information which does not containnetwork setting information or the information to stop using thefunction after the setting information containing information to stopusing the function has been received and set by the device. Stillfurther, according to another aspect of the present invention, thesetting information reception unit receives setting information whichcontains new network setting information used for network communicationand the information to stop using the function. Moreover, according toanother aspect of the present invention, the network setting informationis an address in the network.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided to set setting information in a device. The method includesobtaining network setting information by using a function for obtainingthe network information used for network communication through anetwork; receiving setting information containing information to stopusing the function from an apparatus for transmitting settinginformation to be set in the device; and setting the received settinginformation received in the device. And, according to an aspect of thepresent embodiment, the function may be a DHCP function which performsaddress allocation.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a computerreadable medium containing computer-executable instructions for causinga device to set setting information in the device is provided. Thecomputer readable medium includes computer-executable instructions forobtaining network setting information by using a function for obtainingthe network information used for network communication through anetwork; computer-executable instructions for receiving settinginformation containing information to stop using the function from anapparatus which transmits the setting information to be set in thedevice; and computer-executable instructions for setting the receivedsetting information in the device. Also, according to an aspect of thepresent embodiment, the function may be a DHCP function which performsaddress allocation.

Moreover, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, adevice configured to receive and set setting information within thedevice, the setting information being transmitted from anotherapparatus. The device includes the device includes a network settinginformation obtaining unit configured to obtain network settinginformation by using a function for obtaining the network settinginformation used for network communication through the network; asetting information reception unit configured to receive from theapparatus the setting information containing information to stop usingthe function; and a setting information setting unit configured to setthe setting information received by the setting information receptionunit in the device. And, according to an aspect of the presentembodiment, the function may be a DHCP function which performs addressallocation.

According to still yet another aspect of the present invention, anapparatus is provided which is configured to transmit settinginformation to a device to be set in the device. The apparatus include astorage unit configured to store an address list indicating adestination address of the setting information; a request reception unitconfigured to receive a request of the setting information from thedevice; an addition unit configured to add the device which requests thesetting information to the address list; and a setting informationtransmission unit configured to transmit the setting informationcontaining information to stop using a function for obtaining networksetting information used for network communication through a network, tothe device which requests the setting information. Also, according to anaspect of the present embodiment, the function may be a DHCP functionwhich performs address allocation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate exemplary numerous embodiments,features and aspects of the invention and, together with the descriptionserve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of an exemplary copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed when anew device is connected to a network for the first time, according to anaspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a hardware block diagram of an exemplary setting informationdistribution device, according to an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments, features and aspects of the present inventionwill now herein be described in detail below in accordance with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. A copying machine 1001 or1002 reads a document, and prints or transmits image data of the readdocument to various devices. A facsimile 1003 receives the image datagenerated by the copying machine 1001 through a public line 1009 toprint it. A database/mail server 1004 is a computer in which anapplication server for storing the image data transmitted from thecopying machine 1001 or 1002 operates. A client computer 1005 is acomputer connected to the database/mail server 1004 to download anddisplay data stored therein. A printer 1006 prints the image datagenerated by the copying machine 1001 or 1002, or page descriptionlanguage (PDL) data generated by the client computer 1005.

A directory server 1007 is an information management device for storingvarious pieces of directory information such as a name of a user, anelectronic mail address, and a facsimile number. The copying machines1001 and 1002 and the client computer 1005 can access the directoryinformation by a protocol such as a lightweight directory accessprotocol. A DHCP server 1010 assigns an IP address to a device of anetwork by using a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP).

Ethernet (registered trademark) 1008, for example, is a network to whichthe copying machines 1001 and 1002, the database/mail server 1004, theclient computer 1005, the printer 1006, the directory server 1007, theDHCP server 1010 and the like are connected.

The exemplary embodiment will be described by way of an example wherethe database/mail server 1004 transmits setting information to thecopying machine 1001 or 1002 using the Ethernet (registered trademark)1008. The database/mail server 1004 distributes the setting informationto the device of the network, serving as a setting informationdistribution device. However, for example, the copying machine 1001 mayserve as a distribution source of the setting information to transmit itto the copying machine 1002 or the like. The embodiment shows an exampleusing the Ethernet (registered trademark) 1008 as a connection mediumbetween devices. However, the network is not limited to the Ethernet(registered trademark) 1008. It is further noted that any network can beused as long as it enables bidirectional (data) communication betweenthe devices.

Further it is noted that the protocol used for datatransmission/reception between the devices on the connection medium canbe an existing protocol such as a hyper text transfer protocol (HTTP), asimple object access protocol (SOAP), or a file transfer protocol (FTP),or an completely independent application protocol.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary hardware configuration of the copying machine1001 or 1002. A controller unit 2000 is connected to a scanner 2070which is an image input device and a printer 2095 which is an imageoutput device, as well as to a LAN 2011 and a public line (WAN) 2051 toinput/output image data or setting information.

A CPU 2001 is a controller for controlling the copying machine. A RAM2002 is a work memory used for temporarily storing image data when theCPU 2001 operates. A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM for storing a boot programof the copying machine. A HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive for storingsoftware (or program), image data or the like.

An operation unit I/F 2006 is an interface unit with an operation unit(UI) 2012 having a touch panel, and outputs data to be displayed in theoperation unit 2012 to the same. The operation unit I/F 2006 serves totransmit information which a user of the copying machine has input usingthe operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001. A network I/F 2010 connects thecopying machine to the LAN 2011 to input/output information. A modem2050 connects the copying machine to the public line 2051 toinput/output information. The above units are arranged on a system bus2007.

An image bus I/F 2005 is a bus bridge for connecting the system bus 2007to an image bus 2008 for transferring image data at a high speed toconvert a data structure. The image bus 2008 can be a PCI bus or an IEEE1394, and devices below are arranged on the image bus 2008.

A raster image processor (RIP) 2060 rasterizes PDL data in bitmap imagedata. A device I/F unit 2020 connects the scanner 2070 and/or theprinter 2095 which is an image input/output device to the controller2000 to convert the image data between a synchronous system and anasynchronous system. A scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects,processes, or edits the input image data. A printer image processingunit 2090 corrects the printer, changes resolution or the like for theimage data to be printed. An image rotation unit 2030 rotates the imagedata. An image compression unit 2040 executes compression/decompressionprocessing of a joint photographic experts group (JPEG) for multivaluedimage data, and compression/decompression processing of a joint bi-levelimage experts group (JBIG), modified modified read (MMR), modifiedHuffman (MH) or the like for binary image data. An IC card slot 2100 isallowed to input/output a key used for encryption/decryption byreceiving a personal identifier number (PIN) code after insertion of anIC card medium. An encryption/decryption processing unit 2110 is ahardware accelerator board for executing data encryption/decryptionprocessing using the key of the IC card slot 2100.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary hardware configuration of the settinginformation distribution device. A CPU 4001 is a controller forcontrolling the entire setting information distribution device. A RAM4002 is a work memory used when the CPU 4001 operates. A ROM 4005 is aboot ROM for storing a boot program of the setting informationdistribution device. A HDD 4006 is a hard disk drive for storingsoftware (or program), image data or the like.

An operation unit I/F 4003 is an interface unit with an operation unit(UI) 4007 equipped with a keyboard, a mouse and a display 4007, andoutputs data to be displayed in the operation unit 4007 to the same. Theoperation unit I/F 4003 serves to transmit information which the user ofthe setting information distribution device has input using theoperation unit 4007 to the CPU 4001. A network I/F 4004 connects thesetting information device to a LAN to input/output information. Theaforementioned units are arranged on a system bus 4008.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart which provides an example of a process executedwhen a new device such as the copying machine 1001 or 1002 is connectedto the Ethernet (registered trademark) 1008 for the first time. The CPU2001 and the CPU 4001 execute programs based on the flowchart of FIG. 3to perform this process.

Initially, the user turns power ON by pressing a specific key on anoperation panel of the new device (e.g., copying machine 1001 of FIG. 1)(S3001). The new device is started in a first installation mode which isa mode when it is connected (or installed) to the network for the firsttime (S3002).

The new device obtains a temporary IP address from the DHCP server 1010by a method such as DHCP through the network, and sets the temporary IPaddress in itself to start an operation (S3003). Thus, the new devicecan communicate with the setting information distribution device or thelike by obtaining the temporary IP address and setting it in itself asdescribed below.

The new device transmits data for retrieval through the network to thesetting information distribution device (e.g., in FIG. 1, database/mailserver 1004) by using a communication method such as service locationprotocol) (S3004) The setting information distribution device transmits,to the new device, a response to the data sent by the new device (fromS3004) for retrieval (S3005).

The new device transmits an initialization request and a certificate tothe setting information distribution device discovered by the retrieval(setting information distribution device which has transmitted theresponse (S3006)). For example, the certificate can be a public keyelectronic certificate (e.g., a public key electronic certificate in theITU (International Telecommunication) standard X.509).

The setting information distribution device verifies the receivedcertificate using a certificate authority (CA) certificate preparedbeforehand (S3007). Then, the setting information distribution devicedetermines whether the received certificate is legitimate (acceptable)or not based on a result of the verification (S3008).

If it is determined as a result of the verification that the receivedcertificate is not legitimate, the process proceeds to S3009. If it isdetermined as a result of the verification that the received certificateis legitimate, the process proceeds to S3011.

If the received certificate is not legitimate, the setting informationdistribution device notifies an error to the new device (S3009). Uponreception of the error notification, the new device displays the errorin the operation panel and finishes the operation (S3010).

If the received certificate is legitimate, the setting informationdistribution device registers information for identifying the new devicein a distribution destination list stored and held in a memory, forexample, in a hard disk to register the new device as a new distributiondestination of setting information (S3011).

Concurrently, the setting information distribution device distributesfirst setting information to the new device (S3011). The first settinginformation contains authentic network setting information (IP addressor the like) used by the new device from here on (the authentic networksetting information is a formal network setting information which thenew device uses in communication), and setting information for turningOFF or inhibiting the DHCP function (or functions concerning DHCP). Inaddition, for example, the setting information contains address bookinformation indicating a mail address or a FAX number as a datadestination address, transfer setting information indicating a transferdestination or transfer conditions when received data is transferred toothers, a section ID, and the like.

The authentic network setting information to be used by the new deviceis managed by the setting information distribution device, and a setvalue unique to each device is distributed as network settinginformation. The information registered in the distribution destinationlist to identify the new device is, for example, a name of the newdevice, an authentic IP address transmitted to the new device, or thelike.

The new device receives the first setting information to store thesetting information (containing network setting information) in amemory, such as the HDD 2004 or the like. Subsequently, the new devicesets setting information in itself and starts an operation (S3012). Inother words, the new device sets an IP address or the like distributedfrom the setting information distribution device in itself, turns OFFand/or inhibits the function of the DHCP, and sets setting informationother than network setting information in itself and starts anoperation. The processing at S3012 enables the new device toautomatically set proper network setting information (e.g., IP addressor the like).

As compared with manual setting, less time and labor are required forsetting, and setting mistakes can be prevented and/or reduced. Further,it is possible to automatically set setting information other than thenetwork setting information (e.g., address book information indicating amail address or a FAX number as a data destination address, transfersetting information indicating a transfer destination or transferconditions when received data is transferred to others, section ID, orthe like). Moreover, by turning OFF the function of the DHCP, it ispossible to prevent assignment of a different IP address to the newdevice by the DHCP function.

Next, the setting information distribution device proceeds to periodicdistribution processing of setting information (S3013). In the periodicdistribution processing of the setting information, the settinginformation distribution device does not include the network settinginformation (IP address of device) or setting information for turningOFF the DHCP function in setting information to be distributed. Thesetting information distribution device distributes setting informationto a device registered in the distribution destination list. The settinginformation distribution device executes the periodic distributionsetting of the setting information at predetermined time intervals.

The new device sets the distributed setting information in a device(S3014). Through the processing of S3013 and S3104, setting informationother than the network setting information (e.g., address bookinformation indicating a mail address or a FAX number as a datadestination address, transfer setting information indicating a transferdestination or transfer conditions when received data is transferred toothers, section ID, or the like) can be continuously set, and thecorrect setting can be executed. Especially, when many devices (orcopying machines or the like) are connected, it is possible to properlyupdate setting information to be set in each of the devices.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possibleto efficiently set setting information to be set in the device when thenew device is connected to the network.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

The preferred exemplary embodiment has been described. However, theinvention is not limited to the embodiment. Various changes andmodifications can be made within the scope and spirit of the inventiondescribed in appended claims.

For example, the embodiment has been described by taking the example ofthe copying machine. However, any device such as a printer, a digitalmultifunction machine, a facsimile, or a PC that is newly connected tothe network, can be used as long as it can be connected to the networkand setting is necessary.

When the IP address obtained by the new device in S3003 is directlyused, the setting information distribution device transmits the settinginformation for forcibly turning OFF the function of the DHCP in S3011.However, it is not necessary to transmit the network settinginformation.

When the copying machine 1001 or 1002 serves as a setting informationdistribution device, the copying machine 1001 or 1002 transmits addressbook information or transfer setting information set in itself assetting information. Thus, pieces of address book information ortransfer setting information set in a plurality of copying machines aresynchronized with one another.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application Nos.2005-168501 filed Jun. 8, 2005, and 2006-128475, filed May 2, 2006 whichare hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

1. A system comprising an apparatus in communication with a device via anetwork, the system further comprising: the apparatus including asetting information transmission unit configured to transmit settinginformation to the device to be set in the device; and the deviceincluding, a network setting information obtaining unit configured toobtain network setting information by using a function for obtaining thenetwork setting information used for network communication through thenetwork; a setting information reception unit configured to receive fromthe apparatus the setting information containing information to stopusing the function; and a setting information setting unit configured toset the setting information received by the setting informationreception unit in the device.
 2. The system according to claim 1, theapparatus further including, a storage unit configured to store anaddress list indicating a destination address of the settinginformation; a request reception unit configured to receive a request ofthe setting information from the device; and an addition unit configuredto add the device which requests the setting information to the addresslist, wherein the setting information transmission unit transmits thesetting information to the destination address indicated by the addresslist.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the apparatusperiodically transmits setting information which does not containnetwork setting information or the information to stop using thefunction after the setting information containing information to stopusing the function has been received and set by the device.
 4. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the setting information receptionunit receives setting information which contains new network settinginformation used for network communication and the information to stopusing the function.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein thenetwork setting information is an address in the network.
 6. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the function is a DHCP function whichperforms address allocation.
 7. A method to set setting information in adevice, the method comprising: obtaining network setting information byusing a function for obtaining the network information used for networkcommunication through a network; receiving setting informationcontaining information to stop using the function from an apparatus fortransmitting setting information to be set in the device; and settingthe received setting information received in the device.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 7, wherein the function is a DHCP function whichperforms address allocation.
 9. A computer readable medium containingcomputer-executable instructions for causing a device to set settinginformation in the device, the computer readable medium comprising:computer-executable instructions for obtaining network settinginformation by using a function for obtaining the network informationused for network communication through a network; computer-executableinstructions for receiving setting information containing information tostop using the function from an apparatus which transmits the settinginformation to be set in the device; and computer-executableinstructions for setting the received setting information in the device.10. The computer readable medium according to claim 9, wherein thefunction is a DHCP function which performs address allocation.
 11. Adevice configured to receive and set setting information within thedevice, the setting information being transmitted from anotherapparatus, the device comprising: a network setting informationobtaining unit configured to obtain network setting information by usinga function for obtaining the network setting information used fornetwork communication through a network; a setting information receptionunit configured to receive from the apparatus the setting informationcontaining information to stop using the function; and a settinginformation setting unit configured to set the setting informationreceived by the setting information reception unit in the device. 12.The system according to claim 11, wherein the function is a DHCPfunction which performs address allocation.
 13. An apparatus configuredto transmit setting information to a device to be set in the device, theapparatus comprising: a storage unit configured to store an address listindicating a destination address of the setting information; a requestreception unit configured to receive a request of the settinginformation from the device; an addition unit configured to add thedevice which requests the setting information to the address list; and asetting information transmission unit configured to transmit the settinginformation containing information to stop using a function forobtaining network setting information used for network communicationthrough a network, to the device which requests the setting information.14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the function is a DHCPfunction which performs address allocation.